These requirements are for students concentrating in forensic science. If you are concentrating in corrections, law and justice or law enforcement, click here for requirements.

Advisement: If you are concentrating in forensic science, your advisor will be Dr. Brent Horn. You should meet with him regularly. He may be contacted at brenthorn@weber.edu or 801-626-8843.

Those students wishing to pursue an emphasis in forensics will have the option of choosing one of two tracks:

I. Forensic Science I/ Laboratory. This track is for those wishing to predominantly work in a crime lab, including chemical analysis, serology and DNA analysis.

II. Forensic Science II/ Investigation. Those wishing to have a more general background and training in order to work in the field, including crime scene investigation, pattern analysis, photography and general forensics should choose this track.

Core Courses Required (21 credit hours)

• CJ SS 1010 Intro to Criminal Justice (3)
• CJ 1330 Criminal Law (3)
• CJ 3270 Theories of Crime and Delinquency (3)
• CJ 4200 Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice (3)
• CJ SI 3600* Criminal Justice Statistics (3)
• CJ SI 4980** Research Methods (3)
• CJ 4990*** Senior Seminar (3)

Forensic Science Laboratory Requirements

This emphasis requires a double major in both Criminal Justice Forensic Science and in one of Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, or Microbiology. No minor is required.

Emphasis (14 credit hours)

• CJ 1350 Intro to Forensic Science (3)
• CJ 2350 Laws of Evidence (3)
• CJ 4110 Physical Methods in Forensic Science (4)
• CJ 4120 Advanced Methods in Forensic Science (4)

Electives (9 credit hours)

Select nine credits from additional Criminal Justice courses (with CJ prefixes). All electives must be in addition to courses listed above.

[Note: CJ 2340 Scientific Crime Scene Investigation (3) is a prerequisite to CJ 4110 and will apply to the elective requirement. Also, it is strongly recommended that students complete CJ 4115 Friction Ridge Analysis (4) as a part of the elective requirement.] 

Forensic Science Investigation Requirements

This emphasis requires the successful completion of all of the following 60-62 credit hours of Criminal Justice and support courses. 

• CJ 1340 Criminal Investigation (3)
• CJ 1350 Introduction to Forensic Science (3)
• CJ 2340 Scientific Crime Scene Investigation (3)
• CJ 2350 Laws of Evidence (3)
• CJ 4060 Special Problems in CJ - Basic Crime Scene Photography (3)

Support Courses (30-32 credit hours)

• Choose one set of Chemistry:

• Select one Physics course:

PHYS PS/SI 1010 Elementary Physics (3)

• CJ 4100 Laws of Arrest, Search, and Seizure (3)
• CJ 4110 Physical Methods in Forensic Science (4)
• CJ 4115 Friction Ridge Analysis (4)
• CJ 4120 Advanced Methods in Forensic Science (4)
  
• MATH QL 1040 Introduction to Statistics (3)
  
• Select one Laboratory Safety course:

 BTNY 2600, CHEM 2600, GEO 2600, MICR 2600, PHYS 2600 (1)

•  COMM HU 1020 Principles of Public Speaking (3)
  
•  ART 1150 Basic Photography (3)
  
•  ANTH SS 2030 Principles of Archaeology (3)
  -OR PHYS PS/SI 2210 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (5)
  
• ZOOL 2100 Human Anatomy (4)

Students are encouraged to take CJ 4860 Field Experience during their senior year.

For a printable version of the forensic science course requirements, click here.